Story | Community impact
Elevating patient care with help from Angel Flight East
The Cencora Impact Foundation’s partnership with Angel Flight East (AFE) is helping patient care reach new heights. AFE is a nonprofit that provides free air transportation for patients who must travel long distances to receive specialized medical care. In the spirit of Cencora’s purpose to create healthier futures, this partnership is making a difference for real people in need.
Christie’s journey with Angel Flight East
At just 44 years old, Pennsylvania resident Christie was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. What began with an unusual craving for ice led to blood tests, scans, and a life-changing diagnosis. Her treatment journey soon spanned multiple hospitals and specialists throughout the northeastern United States.
Traveling long distances while battling cancer wasn’t easy. “It’s full-time work to get well,” Christie said. The trips to Boston were daunting — until she discovered Angel Flight East (AFE).
Connecting patients to Angel Flight East
Since 2017, the Cencora Impact Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit charitable giving organization established by Cencora, Inc., has partnered with AFE to ensure patients can access the treatment they need without transportation concerns. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of patient populations — both human and animal — by partnering with organizations to expand access to healthcare around the world.
AFE operates with the help of more than 400 volunteer pilots who donate their time, aircraft, and personal resources to make care accessible. Serving 14 states across the Northeast, AFE partners with other public benefit flying organizations to ensure patients like Christie can reach the treatment they need, no matter where they live. For patients outside AFE’s region, affiliated groups within the Air Care Alliance offer similar assistance nationwide.
Christie has flown with AFE numerous times over several years, calling it “the easiest part of a very hard process.” Her husband, David, often flies with her, and together they now travel regularly to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, where Christie is participating in a clinical trial. “We could never manage this without Angel Flight,” she said. “It’s not just a flight, it’s hope, relief, and kindness all wrapped into one.”
She credits AFE’s volunteer pilots for helping her rediscover optimism and strength. “Cancer wants you to be miserable, but Angel Flight showed me the grace in cancer — the goodness and generosity that still exists in the world.”
Now, Christie is determined to spread awareness of this free and beneficial service. “So many people don’t know this exists. It’s real, it’s safe, and it changes lives,” she said.
Delivering help, hope, and relief to patients when they need it most
Christie’s story underscores the critical role AFE plays in removing barriers to care, which is why Cencora is proud to support the important work they do. Patients like Christie can access free flights for as long as they require treatment, and compassion flights are also available for friends and family members.
To make more people aware of what AFE does, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, a national franchise for independent pharmacies offered through Cencora, also provides information to patients anytime it’s relevant. AFE’s coverage area spans 14 states that contain nearly 500 Good Neighbor Pharmacy locations, and these pharmacies are uniquely positioned to share AFE’s services with patients in need.
By supporting and promoting this free resource, Cencora and our partners are excited to continue connecting patients to life-saving care and reducing the stress of long-distance travel.
